Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Noknowledge on 04 July 2009, 18:57:16

Title: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: Noknowledge on 04 July 2009, 18:57:16
Hi all.

For some time now I have been slowly losing coolant on my Elite V6 3ltr. No rise in temp etc for a long time. I could find no leaks but the loss gradually increased so I began to suspect CH gasket. Took the car to a local garage who (Supposedly) did a compression and dye test and was told I needed new gaskets at a cost of around £1500.00 fitted!!!

Last week I drove 60 miles and got almost total loss and temp rise. Let it cool down and refilled and noticed a leak right at the back of engine. Popped it to a nearby garage run by an honest guy and got the prob fixed for £72.00!!!  It was a plastic valve with I think 4 hoses. The valve had gradually siezed up and finally closed. I think it may be inlet/outlet to heater matrix. I was in a hurry so didn,t really get to find out exactly what the valve does but it sits at top of engine at the rear near the bulkhead.

I thought I would post this in case anyone else gets the same problem/symptoms.

Cheers
Title: Re: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: Jimbob on 04 July 2009, 18:59:17
That was you Heater Bypass Valve (HBV)

3 coolant pipes, and a vaccum pipe


A very common fault, and often misdiagnosed  >:(


glad you are sorted  :y
Title: Re: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: Varche on 04 July 2009, 19:15:53
Hi NoKnowledge

Welcome to the forum!

Won't be long before you can change your user name to "knowledge"! :) :)

Varche
Title: Re: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: RossMk2 on 04 July 2009, 19:39:59
Quote
That was you Heater Bypass Valve (HBV)

3 coolant pipes, and a vaccum pipe


A very common fault, and often misdiagnosed  >:(


glad you are sorted  :y

I also gradually loose coolant - can see it slightlight running down just under the heads making block look wet - and today did a compression test for other reasons and all was ok so i suspect i have this problem among others!

Does anone have a picture or guide or something where i can locate said HBV? Engine is in a different car and the other way around so picture would help i think
Title: Re: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: Auto Addict on 05 July 2009, 07:00:17
Quote
Quote
That was you Heater Bypass Valve (HBV)

3 coolant pipes, and a vaccum pipe


A very common fault, and often misdiagnosed  >:(


glad you are sorted  :y

I also gradually loose coolant - can see it slightlight running down just under the heads making block look wet - and today did a compression test for other reasons and all was ok so i suspect i have this problem among others!

Does anone have a picture or guide or something where i can locate said HBV? Engine is in a different car and the other way around so picture would help i think

Have a read of this:-

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1193594464
Title: Re: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: RossMk2 on 05 July 2009, 14:58:26
Right.... i dont seem to have a HBV! looks like it has been binned pipework been created to mate up to the astra heater pipework.
Title: Re: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: dbug on 05 July 2009, 21:27:37
Quote
Right.... i dont seem to have a HBV! looks like it has been binned pipework been created to mate up to the astra heater pipework.

You would have if you drove an Omega  :) :)
Title: Re: Coolant loss. A word of caution. Could save you ££
Post by: RossMk2 on 06 July 2009, 08:00:31
Quote
Quote
Right.... i dont seem to have a HBV! looks like it has been binned pipework been created to mate up to the astra heater pipework.

You would have if you drove an Omega  :) :)

Yep i sure would! Just means the leak is coming from somewhere else, the story continues.